Image forming apparatus with controller for storing print data according to characteristic value

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage device having storage areas divided corresponding to a characteristic value allocated for each print requesting person. Upon receiving print data and a characteristic value from an external device, the image forming apparatus stores the print data into a storage area which has been allocated the same characteristic value as the received characteristic value. The image forming apparatus subjects print data stored in the storage areas in the storage device to image formation processing on a storage area basis.

The present application is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/410,133, filed Apr. 25, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/036,527, filed Jan. 7, 2002, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image forming system having an imageforming apparatus, such as a digital multiuse machine, that has variousfunctions, such as scanner, printer, copy, fax, and networkcommunications functions, etc.

Conventionally, image forming apparatuses, such as digital multiusemachines, have a function of printing print data from external devicesconnected by a network. Some of such digital multiuse machines haveprivate printing and scheduled printing functions. With privateprinting, print data transmitted from the PC side is preserved in astorage device in the digital multiuse machine. After that, the printdata stored in the storage device is printed in response to a user'sprint command on the digital multiuse machine. In scheduled printing,the printing start time specified from the PC side is stored in thestorage device in the digital multiuse machine together with print data.The digital multiuse machine then prints the print data on the basis ofthe printing start time stored in the storage device.

However, in order to cause the digital multiuse machine to carry outprint processing, private printing requires each of the print requestingusers to operate the operating panel of the digital multiuse machinedirectly. In scheduled printing, in order to cause printing to be doneat the specified time, it is required to set the printing start timeeach time a print request is made. When two or more users specify thesame time, the digital multiuse machine carries out print processing inthe order in which print data was accepted. For this reason, printoutsfor two or more users can be mixed up.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatusand an image forming system which permit print data sent from externaldevices to be printed in an efficient manner, and users' convenience tobe increased.

An image forming apparatus of the invention, which is connected to anexternal device by which a request for printing can be set by a printrequesting person, comprises a storage device having a plurality ofstorage areas corresponding to a characteristic value allocated for eachprint requesting person, an interface for receiving a print request fromthe external device, a controller for, when receiving a print requestfrom the external device via the interface, storing print data in theprint request into that storage area in the storage device which hasbeen allocated the same characteristic value as the characteristic valuein the print request, and an image forming unit for subjecting printdata stored in the storage areas in the storage device to imageformation processing on a storage area basis.

An image forming apparatus of the invention, which is connected to anexternal device by which a request for printing can be set by a printrequesting person, comprises a storage device having storage areasdivided by print start time, an interface for receiving a print requestfrom the external device, a controller for, when receiving a printrequest from the external device via the interface, storing print datain the print request into that storage area in the storage device whichhas been allocated the same print start time as a print start time inthe print request, a timer for counting the current time, and an imageforming unit for subjecting print data stored in that storage area inthe storage device which has been allocated a print start time thatcoincides with the current time counted by the timer to image formationprocessing.

An image forming apparatus of the invention, which is connected to anexternal device by which a request for printing can be set by a printrequesting person, comprises a storage device having first storage areasdivided by print start time, each first storage area being divided intosecond storage areas corresponding to a characteristic value, aninterface for receiving a print request from the external device, acontroller for, when receiving a print request from the external devicevia the interface, storing print data in the print request into, in afirst storage area allocated the same print start time as a print starttime in the print request, that second storage area which has beenallocated the same characteristic value as a characteristic value in theprint request, a timer for counting the current time, and an imageforming unit for subjecting print data stored in the first storage areaallocated a print start time that coincides with the current timecounted by the timer to image formation processing on a second storagearea basis.

An image forming apparatus of the invention, which is connected to anexternal device by which a request for printing can be set by a printrequesting person, comprises storage means having a plurality of storageareas corresponding to a characteristic value allocated for each printrequesting person, receiving means for receiving a print request fromthe external device, control means for, when receiving a print requestfrom the external device via the receiving means, storing print data inthe print request into a storage area which has been allocated the samecharacteristic value as the characteristic value in the print request,and image forming means for subjecting print data stored in the storageareas in the storage device to image formation processing on a storagearea basis.

An image forming system of the invention has an external device by whicha request for printing can be set by a print request person and an imageforming apparatus connected to the external device, the external devicecomprises an operating device for setting a print request having acharacteristic value allocated for a print requesting person and printdata, and a first interface for sending a print request set by theoperating device to the image forming apparatus, and the image formingapparatus comprises a storage device having a plurality of storage areascorresponding to a characteristic value allocated for each printrequesting person, a second interface for receiving a print request fromthe external device, a controller for, when receiving a print requestfrom the external device via the interface, storing print data in theprint request into a storage area which has been allocated the samecharacteristic value as the characteristic value in the print request,and an image forming unit for subjecting print data stored in thestorage areas in the storage device to image formation processing on astorage area basis.

An image forming system of the invention has an external device by whicha request for printing can be set by a print request person and an imageforming apparatus connected to the external device, the external devicecomprises an operating device for setting a print request having a printstart time and print data, and a first interface for sending the printrequest set by the operating device to the image forming apparatus, andthe image forming apparatus comprises a storage device having storageareas divided by print start time, a second interface for receiving aprint request from the external device, a controller for, when receivinga print request from the external device via the interface, storingprint data in the print request into a storage area which has beenallocated the same print start time as the print start time in the printrequest, a timer for counting the current time, and an image formingunit for subjecting print data stored in that storage area in thestorage device which has been allocated a print start time thatcoincides with the current time counted by the timer to image formationprocessing.

An image forming system of the invention has an external device by whicha request for printing can be set by a print request person and an imageforming apparatus connected to the external device, the external devicecomprises an operating device for setting a print request having acharacteristic value allocated for a print requesting person and printdata, a print start time and print data, and a first interface forsending a print request set by the operating device to the image formingapparatus, and the image forming apparatus comprises a storage devicehaving first storage areas divided by print start time, each firststorage area being divided into second storage areas corresponding to acharacteristic value, a second interface for receiving a print requestfrom the external device, a controller for, when receiving a printrequest from the external device via the second interface, storing printdata in the print request into, in a first storage area allocated thesame print start time as a print start time in the print request, thatsecond storage area which has been allocated the same characteristicvalue as a characteristic value in the print request, a timer forcounting the current time, and an image forming unit for subjectingprint data stored in the first storage area allocated a print start timethat coincides with the current time counted by the timer to imageformation processing on a second storage area basis.

An image forming system of the invention has an external device by whicha request for printing can be set by a print request person and an imageforming apparatus connected to the external device, the external devicecomprises operating means for setting a print request having acharacteristic value allocated for a print requesting person and printdata, and transmitting means for sending a print request set by theoperating means to the image forming apparatus, and the image formingapparatus comprises storage means having a plurality of storage areascorresponding to a characteristic value allocated for each printrequesting person, receiving means for receiving a print request fromthe external device, control means for, when receiving a print requestfrom the external device via the receiving means, storing print data inthe print request into a storage area which has been allocated the samecharacteristic value as the characteristic value in the print request,and image forming means for subjecting print data stored in the storageareas in the storage device to image formation processing on a storagearea basis.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention,and together with the general description given below and the detaileddescription of the embodiment given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an image forming system accordingto embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the digital multiuse machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the digital multiusemachine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of the HDD in thedigital multiuse machine 1 according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the operation of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of the HDD of thedigital multiuse machine 1 according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the operation of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of the HDD in thedigital multiuse machine 1 according to a third embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the operation of thethird embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of animage forming system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system has a digital multiusemachine (MFP: Multi Functional Peripheral) 1 as an image formingapparatus and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 2, 3 and 4interconnected through a communications line 5 in a local area network(LAN).

The digital multiuse machine 1 has mainly a copy function, a printerfunction, a scanner function, a fax function, and so on. The printerfunction includes a private printing function based on print data fromthe PCs 2, 3 and 4 and a scheduled printing function.

The private printing function is to perform a printing operation by auser's operation on the digital multiuse machine after print data sentfrom an external device, such as a PC, has been stored in the digitalmultiuse machine 1. That is, users specify private printing at the PCs2, 3 and 4 and then send print data to the digital multiuse machine 1.

The digital multiuse machine 1 stores the print data for which privateprinting has bee specified together with user data. After that, theusers specify user data and print data on the operating panel of thedigital multiuse machine 1 and instruct it to print.

The digital multiuse machine 1 determines if the user data specifiedmatches the user data corresponding to the stored print data. When amatch occurs in user data, the digital multiuse machine 1 prints thecorresponding print data.

The scheduled printing function causes the digital multiuse machine 1 toperform a printing operation with print data and printing start timespecified by an external device such as a PC. That is, the users sendprint data and print start time from the PCs 2, 3 and 4 to the digitalmultiuse machine 1. The digital multiuse machine 1 stores the print dataand print start time from the PCs. The digital multiuse machine 1 makesa comparison between the current time and the print start timecorresponding to the stored print data and, at the time when the printstart time is reached, performs an operation of printing thecorresponding print data.

The PC 2 (3, 4) is composed of a body having a network interface 2 a (3a, 4 a), a display device 2 b (3 b, 4 b), an operating device 2 c (3 c,4 c), and so on. The network interface 2 c (3 c, 4 c) is an interfacefor connection to the digital multiuse machine 1. The PC 2 (3, 4) makesdata through the network interface communications with the digitalmultiuse machine 1.

The structure of the digital multiuse machine 1 will be described next.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the digital multiuse machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multiuse machine 1 has an apparatus body2 which has a scanner unit 4 as readout means and a printer unit 6serving as image forming means provided in it.

The apparatus body 2 is provided on top with a document table 8 made oftransparent glass on which an object to be read, i.e., an document D, isplaced. Also, on the top of the apparatus body 2 is placed an automaticdocument feeder 9 (hereinafter referred to as an ADF) as transport meansfor feeding automatically documents D onto the document table 8. Thedocument D placed on an document tray 9 a of the ADF 9 is transported byguides not shown and ejected through a platen roller 9 b into a deliverytray 9 c. While being transported by the platen roller 9 b, the documentD is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 10 in the scanner unit 4 tobe described later, whereby an image on the document D is read.

The documents D are placed on the document tray 9 a with the readingside up and fed one at a time in the order beginning with the topmostdocument D.

The scanner unit 4 placed in the apparatus body 2 has an exposure lamp10 comprised of, say, a halogen lamp as a light source for illuminatingthe document D transported by the ADF 9 or the document D placed on thedocument table 8 and a first mirror 12 for deflecting reflected lightfrom the document D in a predetermined direction. The exposure lamp 10and the first mirror 12 are mounted on a first carriage 14 providedbelow the document table 8.

The first carriage 14 is placed movably parallel to the document table 8and is reciprocated below the document table 8 by a scanner motor(driving motor) 16 through a toothed belt not shown. The scanner motor16 is comprised of a stepping motor or the like.

Below the document table 8, a second carriage 18 which is movableparallel to the document table 8 is disposed. On the second carriage 18,second and third mirrors 20, 22 which sequentially deflect lightreflected from the document D and deflected by the first mirror 12 aremounted at right angles. Rotation force from the scanner motor 16 istransmitted to the second carriage 18 via the toothed belt or the likewhich drives the first carriage 14 so that the second carriage willfollow the first carriage 14 and can be moved parallel to the documenttable 8 at a speed which is half the speed of the first carriage 14.

Below the document table 8 are provided an focusing lens 24 for focusingthe reflected light from the third mirror 20 on the second carriage 18and a CCD sensor (line sensor) 26 which receives the reflected lightfocused by the focusing lens 24 and converts it into an electricalsignal The focusing lens 24 is arranged movably through a drivingmechanism in a plane including the optical axis of light deflected bythe third mirror 22 to image the reflected light at a desiredmagnification (main scanning direction). Responsive to an imageprocessing clock from the main CPU to be described later, the CCD sensor26 converts the incident reflected light into an electrical signalcorresponding to the read document D. The magnification in thesubscanning direction can be set by changing the speed of transportationby the ADF 9 or the speed at which the first carriage 14 is moved.

In reading the document D being transported by the ADF 9, the positionof illumination by the exposure lamp 10 is fixed at the position shownin FIG. 2. In reading the document D placed on the document table 8, theposition of illumination by the exposure lamp 10 is moved from left toright along the document table 8.

The printer unit 6 is equipped with a laser exposure device 28 servingas a latent image forming means. The circumferential surface of aphotosensitive drum 30 is scanned by laser light from the laser exposuredevice 28, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on thecircumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 30.

The printer unit 6 has the rotatable photosensitive drum 30 as an imagebearing body placed on the right-hand side of the approximate the centerof the apparatus body 2. The circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum 30 is exposed by laser light from the laser exposuredevice 28 and formed with an electrostatic latent image. Around thephotosensitive drum 30 are placed in order an electrifying charger 32for electrifying the drum surface to a given electric charge, adeveloper 34 as developing means for developing the electrostatic latentimage formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 at a desiredimage density by supplying tonor as developing powder to it, a transfercharger 38, having an integrally incorporated separation charger 36 forseparating an image formed medium fed from a cassette 48 or 50 to bedescribed later, i.e., copy paper P, from the photosensitive drum 30,for transferring the tonor image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 tothe paper P, a separation claw 40 for separating the copy paper P fromthe surface of the photosensitive drum 30, a cleaning device 42 forremoving residual tonor from the surface of the photosensitive drum 30,and a charge eliminator 44 for eliminating the charge on the surface ofthe photosensitive drum 30.

In the lower portion of the apparatus body 2, an upper cassette 48 and alower cassette 50, each of which is removable from the apparatus body,are placed in a stacked form. Into each of the cassettes 48 and 50different size of copy paper P is loaded. A manual feed tray 54 isprovided at the sided the upper cassette 48.

In the apparatus body 2 a paper path 56 is formed to extend from each ofthe cassettes 48 and 50 through the transfer section located between thephotosensitive drum 30 and the transfer charger 38. At the end of thepaper path 56 is provided a fixing device 58 having a fixing lamp 58 a.An exit 60 is formed above the fixing device 58.

In the vicinity of each of the upper cassette 48 and the lower cassette50 a paper feed roller 62 and a separation roller 63 are provided whichtake out sheets of paper P one at a time from the cassette 48 or 50.Many paper feed roller pairs 64 are provided along the paper path 56 totransport copy paper P taken out by the paper feed roller 62 and theseparation roller 63 over the path 56.

Paired register rollers 66 are provided on the upstream side of thephotosensitive drum 30 in the paper path 56. The paired register rollers66 correct any inclination in the copy paper P, bring the leading edgeof the tonor image on the photosensitive drum 30 and the leading edge ofthe copy paper P into registration with each other, and feed the copypaper P to the transfer section at the same speed as the speed at whichthe circumference of the photosensitive drum 30 moves. A pre-aligningsensor 68 that detects the arrival of the copy paper P is provided shortof the paired register rollers 66, namely, on the side of the paper feedrollers 64.

The copy paper sheets P, taken out one at a time from each of thecassettes 48 and 50 by the paper feed roller 62, is transported to thepaired register rollers 66 by the paired paper feed rollers 64. The copypaper P, after having been accurately positioned by the paired registerrollers 66, is transported to the transfer section.

In the transfer section, the developing powder image formed on thephotosensitive drum 30, namely, the tonor image, is transferred to thecopy paper P by the transfer charger 38. The tonor image transferredcopy paper P is separated from the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum 30 by the action of the separation charger 36 andthe separation crawl 40 and carried to the fixing device 58 through acarrier belt (not shown) that forms part of the paper path 56. Thedeveloping powder image is fused onto the copy paper P by the fixingdevice 58 and the copy paper P is then ejected from the exit 60 into adelivery tray 72 within the apparatus body 2 by paired delivery rollers70.

On the right-hand side of the paper path 56 is provided an automaticdouble-side device 74 that reverses the copy paper P passed through thefixing device 58 and feeds it again to the paper path 56.

In the front portion of the top of the apparatus body 2 is provided anoperating panel (which will be described later) to instruct various copyconditions, such as copy magnification, etc., the start of copying, etc.

The internal configuration of the control system of the digital multiusemachine 1 will be described next.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the digital multiusemachine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital multiuse machine 1 is equipped with amain controller 90 which controls the whole. The main controller 90 iscomposed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a ROM (Read Only Memory)92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, a font ROM 94, a recording device(HDD) 95, a network I/F 96, an image processing unit 97, and a pagememory 98.

The CPU 91 exercises control over the whole of the digital multiusemachine 1. Also, the CPU 91 has a timer 91 a that counts the currenttime. The ROM 92 is stored with software such as a control program forcontrolling the digital multiuse machine 1, etc. The RAM 93 storestemporarily operational data.

The font ROM 94 is stored with character image data corresponding tocharacter codes. For example, upon receiving print data based oncharacter codes from an external device, the CPU 91 converts thecharacter codes into image data on the basis of font data stored in thefont ROM 94.

The HDD 95 is a large capacity storage device. The HDD stores compressedimage data and print data. The HDD 95 has a plurality of spooling areas(boxes) 95 a, 95 b, . . . for storing print data sent from the PCs 2, 3and 4. These spooling areas 95 a, 95 b, . . . will be described later.

The network interface 96 is an interface for allowing datacommunications with the PCs 2, 3, and 4.

The image processing unit 97 is comprised of image processing circuitryand provides image processing such as correction orcompression/decompression of image data. The page memory 98 is a memoryfor storing a page of image data.

To the CPU 91 are connected a scanner 4, a printer 6, a facsimile 99,and an operating panel 101. The facsimile 99 transmits and receivesfacsimile data over a public line. The operating panel 101 is composedof a liquid crystal display device (not shown) with a built-in touchpanel, hard keys such as ten keys, etc. Operator guidance and touch keysfor providing various commands are displayed on the operating panel 101.

Hereinafter, first, second and third embodiments of the image formingsystem will be described.

First, the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of examples of print data spoolingareas (hereinafter referred to as boxes) 95 a, 95 b, . . . createdwithin the HDD 95 of the digital multiuse machine 1 according to thefirst embodiment. In the first embodiment, the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . .are created in the digital multiuse machine 1 to store print data fromthe respective print requesting persons. The digital multiuse machine 1performs a process of printing print data for each of the boxes 95 a, 95b,

As shown in FIG. 4, the spooling areas (boxes) 95 a, 95 b, . . . areeach formed by characteristic value in the digital multiuse machine 1.In the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . print data for scheduled printingrequested by the PCs 2, 3, and 4 connected to the digital multiusemachine 1 is stored by characteristic value. The characteristic valuesare characteristic information for identifying users who have maderequests for printing, groups to which the users belong, or PCs. Forexample, as the characteristic values, use is made of the user namesindicating users who have made request for printing, the group namesindicating groups to which the users who have made requests for printingbelong, or IP addresses allocated to individual PCs to indicate PCswhich have made requests for printing.

The print data stored in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . each have acorresponding print start time stored in it. On the other hand, the CPU91 monitors the print start times of the respective print data stored inthe boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . at regular intervals on the basis of thetimer 91 a. Thereby, the CPU 91 makes printing for each of the boxes 95a, 95 b, . . . when the print start time of the print data stored ineach of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . is reached. That is, even if two ormore pieces of print data on which the same print start time have beenset are present in the different boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . the CPU 91 willmake printing for each box. This prevents the print data stored in thedifferent boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . from being printed alternately. Inother words, even if two or more users with different characteristicvalues have set scheduled Printing appointing the same print start time,the results of printing requested by the respective users 4111 never bemixed up.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the first embodiment.

First, the user specifies print data, such as document data to beschedule printed, and a print start time through the operating device 2c (3 c, 4 c) of the PC 2 (3, 4). Next, the user specifies the user name,group name, IP address, or time as a characteristic value. Then, the PC2 sends the print data, the print start time and the characteristicvalue specified by the user to the digital multiuse machine 1. When thedigital multiuse machine 1 receives this data (step S1), the CPU 91 ofthe digital multiuse machine 1 retrieves from the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . .. in the HDD 95 a box 95 a, 95 b, . . . on which the characteristicvalue that matches the specified characteristic value has been set up(step S2).

As a result of this retrieval, if there is no box on which the samecharacteristic value as the characteristic value specified by the userhas been set up (NO in step S3), then the CPU 91 creates a box 95 a (95b, . . . ) which has the characteristic value specified by the user setup on it (step S4). When the box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) which has thecharacteristic value set up on it has been created, the CPU 91 appendsthe print start time (time value) specified by the user as dataassociated with the created box 95 a (step S5). That is, each of theboxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . is given the characteristic value and the timevalue as box-associated data. When such a box 95 a has been created, theCPU 91 stores the user-specified print data and print start time (timevalue) into the created box 95 a so that they are associated with eachother (step S6).

If the result of retrieval in step S2 indicates the presence of a box 95a (95 b, . . . ) on which the same characteristic value as thecharacteristic value specified by the user has been set up, then the CPU91 appends the user-specified print start time (time value) as dataassociated with the box 95 a (step S5). The CPU 91 stores the print dataand print start time into the retrieved box 95 a so that they areassociated with each other (step S6).

The processes in steps S1 through S6 allow print data for scheduledprinting to be stored into each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . . In thedigital multiuse machine 1 in which print data has been stored in eachof the boxes 95 a, 95 b, in this manner, the CPU 91 monitors all theboxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for time. That is, the CPU 91 polls all theboxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for their time value at regular intervals oftime (step S7). In this polling process, a determination is made as towhether or not the current time of the timer 91 a coincides with thetime value appended to each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . (step S8).

If there is no box 95 a, 95 b, . . . whose time value coincides with thecurrent time, then the CPU 91 repeats the polling. If the determinationis that there is a box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) whose time value coincideswith the current time, the CPU 91 carries out printing for each of thebox 95 a (95 b, . . . ) whose time value coincides with the current time(step S9). Thereby, the print data is arranged by a user-specifiedcharacteristic value. The results of printing are output in order foreach user.

According to the first embodiment, as described above, print data forscheduled printing is stored in the boxes created by characteristicvalue and the printing operations for two or more pieces of print dataare carried out on a box basis. Thereby, even if the same time has beenset up for scheduled printing specified by different users, the resultsof printing for the different users are output without being mixed up.The results of printing can be processed efficiently, increasing theusers' convenience.

As described above, to make printing of print data in order for eachprint requesting person, the digital multiuse machine can create boxeshaving characteristic values in a storage device to thereby store printdata in order. To make printing of print data in order for each printrequesting person, appending time values to individual boxes that storeprint data allows printing to be made automatically in order for eachprint requesting person without users going to the digital multiusemachine and directly operating it for printing.

Next, the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of examples of print data spoolingareas (hereinafter referred to as boxes) 95 a, 95 b, . . . createdwithin the HDD 95 of the digital multiuse machine 1 according to thesecond embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . are created byprint start time (time value) to put print data in order for each timevalue. Further, the time values set up on these boxes are displayed oneach of the PCs 2, 3, and 4 in order to allow each user to select aprint start time from the displayed time values.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the spooling areas (boxes) 95 a, 95 b, . .. are created in the HDD 95 of the digital multiuse machine 1 by timevalue (print start time). Scheduled print data requested by the PCs 2, 3and 4 are stored in these boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . by time value.

The digital multiuse machine 1 monitors the print data stored in theboxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . at regular intervals for time values as printstart times set in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . . Thereby, the CPU 91makes printing of print data for each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . .when its print start time is reached.

Thereby, print data requested by two or more external devices can bestored in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . by print start time. In otherwords, even if print data of different print start times is received inlarge quantities, it can be grouped by print start time.

In addition, the PCs 2, 3 and 4 are allowed to display the time valuesallocated to the boxes 95 a created in the digital multiuse machine 1 ontheir respective display units 2 b, 3 b, and 4 b as shown in FIG. 6.Further, a selection can be made from the time values displayed on thedisplay units 2 b, 3 b and 4 b on the PCs 2, 3 and 4 to select the printstart time. Thereby, the print start time for scheduled printing can bespecified with ease.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the second embodiment.

Here, a description is given of the case where the user at the PC 2makes a request for scheduled printing. First, the time valuesassociated with all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . created in the displaymultiuse machine 1 are displayed on the PC 2 (3, 4) (step S11).

In this state, the user selects a desired print start time from the timevalues displayed on the display unit 2 b through the operating device 2c and specifies print data, such as document data, for scheduledprinting (step S12). If, at this point, a desired print start time isnot displayed on the display unit 2 b, then the user specifies the printstart time through the operating device 2 c. When the print data and theprint start time (time value) have been specified in this manner, the PC2 sends the print data and the time value to the digital multiusemachine 1.

When the digital multiuse machine 1 receives the data from the PC 2, theCPU 91 in the digital multiuse machine 1 searches the HDD 95 for a box95 a (95 b, . . . ) the set time value of which matches the specifiedtime value (step S13).

As a result of this search, if there is no box on which the same timevalue as the time value specified by the user has been set up (NO instep S14), then the CPU 91 creates a box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) which hasthe time value specified by the user set up on it (step S15). When thebox 95 a (95 b, . . . ) which has the time value set up on it has beencreated, the CPU 91 stores the print data specified by the user into thecreated box 95 a (step S16).

As a result of the search in step S13, if there is a box 95 a (95 b, . .. ) on which the same time value as the time value specified by the userhas been set up, then the CPU 91 stores the print data into the searchedbox 95 a (step S16).

The processes in steps S11 through S16 allow print data for scheduledprinting to be stored into the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . by print starttime. In the digital multiuse machine 1 in which print data has beenstored in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . in this manner, the CPU 91monitors all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for time. That is, the CPU 91polls all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for their time value at regularintervals of time (step S17). In this polling process, a determinationis made as to whether or not the current time of the timer 91 acoincides with the time value set up on each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, .. . (step S18).

If the time value set up on each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . does notcoincide with the current time, then the CPU 91 repeats the polling. Ifthe determination is that there is a box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) whose timevalue coincides with the current time, then the CPU 91 makes printing ofprint data stored in that box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) on which the timevalue coincident with the current time is set up (step S19). Thereby,the print data from two or more users is stored in order of print starttime and output at respective print start times.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the digitalmultiuse machine stores print data for scheduled printing in boxescreated by time value and each PC displays the time values for the boxescreated in the digital multiuse machine and allows a desired print starttime to be selected from the displayed time values. Thereby, the printstart time can be specified with ease, improving users' convenience. Inaddition, the digital multiuse machine can arrange the print data byprint start time, allowing for efficient print processing.

As described above, in carrying out printing at the same appointed time,the user can set. a print start time by making a selection fromdisplayed time values without setting the same time every time, allowingthe appointed time to be set with ease. When two or more users want tocarry out printing at the same appointed time, they can set the printstart time by selecting a time value from print start times set in thedigital multiuse machine without each user setting a time. This allowstwo or more users to set print start times with ease and even to share aprint start time.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of print data spooling areas (boxes)95 a, 95 b, . . . created within the HDD 95 of the digital multiusemachine 1 according to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . that store print databy print start time are created in the digital multiuse machine 1.Further, small boxes 95 a 1, 95 a 2, 95 b 1, are created bycharacteristic value in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . . As in the secondembodiment, the print start times set on the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . aredisplayed on each of the PCs 2, 3 and 4, allowing each user to select aprint start time from the displayed time values.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . are created bytime value in the HDD 95 of the digital multiuse machine 1. Further, thesmall boxes 95 a 1, 95 a 2, 95 b 1, 95 b 2, . . . each having acharacteristic value set up on it are created in the boxes 95 a, 95 b, .. . . Thus, the print data is divided by time value and the print dataassigned the same time value is divided by characteristic value.

The digital multiuse machine 1 monitors the time values set up on theboxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . at regular intervals. The digital multiusemachine 1 makes Printing of print data for each of the small boxes 95 a1 and 95 a 2 (95 b 1, 95 b 2, . . . ) within a box 95 a (95 b, . . . )alien its print start time is reached. Thereby, print data sent from twoor more users can be arranged by print start time and moreover printingcan be made by characteristic value such as user, group, IP, or theLike.

In addition, as in the second embodiment, the PCs 2, 3 and 4 are allowedto display the time values allocated to the boxes 95 a created in thedigital multiuse machine 1 on their respective display units 2 b, 3 b,and 4 b so that a print start time is selected from the displayed timevalues. Thereby, the print start times for scheduled printing can bespecified with ease.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the third embodiment.

Here, a description is given of the case where the user at the PC 2makes a request for scheduled printing. First, the time valuesassociated with all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . created in the displaymultiuse machine 1 are displayed on the PC 2 (3, 4) (step S21).

In this state, the user selects a desired print start time from the timevalues displayed on the display unit 2 b through the operating device 2c and specifies print data for scheduled printing and a characteristicvalue (step S22). If, at this point, a desired print start time is notdisplayed on the display unit 2 b, then the user specifies the printstart time through the operating device 2 c. When the print data, thecharacteristic value and the print start time (time value) have beenselected, the PC 2 sends them to the digital multiuse machine 1.

When the digital multiuse machine 1 receives the data from the PC 2, theCPU 91 in the digital multiuse machine 1 searches the HDD 95 for a box95 a, 95 b, . . . the set time value of which matches the user specifiedtime value (step S23).

As a result of this search, if there is no box on which the same timevalue as the time value specified by the user has been set up (NO instep S24), then the CPU 91 creates a box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) which hasthe user specified time value set up on it (step S25). When the box 95 awhich has the time value set up on it has been created, the CPU 91further creates a small box 95 a 1 (95 a 2) having the user specifiedcharacteristic value set up on it (step S26). When such a small box hasbeen created, the CPU 91 stores the print data into the created box 95 a1 (step S27).

As the result of the search in step S23, if there is a box 95 a on whichthe same time value as the time value specified by the user has been setup (YES in step S24), then the CPU 91 searches the box 95 a for a smallbox 95 a 1 on which the user-specified characteristic value is set up(step S28).

As the result of this search, if there is no small box on which the samecharacteristic value as the characteristic value specified by the userhas been set up (NO in step S29), then the CPU 91 creates a small box 95a which has the user specified characteristic value set up on it in thebox 95 a (step S26). When such a small box 95 a 1 has been created, theCPU 91 stores the print data into the created small box 95 a 1 (stepS27).

If, as the result of the search in step S23, there is a box 95 a onwhich the same time value as the time value specified by the user hasbeen set up and if, as the result of the search in step S28, there is asmall box 95 a 1 on which the same characteristic value as thecharacteristic value specified by the user has been set up (YES in stepS29), then the CPU 91 stores the print data into the small box 95 a 1(step S27).

The processes in steps S21 through S29 allow print data for scheduledprinting to be stored by characteristic value into each of the smallboxes 95 a 1, 95 a 2, . . . within each of the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . .created by time value. The CPU 91 in the digital multiuse machine 1monitors all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for time.

That is, the CPU 91 polls all the boxes 95 a, 95 b, . . . for their timevalue at regular intervals of time (step S30). In this polling process,a determination is made as to whether or not the current time of thetimer 91 a coincides with the time value set up on each of the boxes 95a, 95 b, . . . (step S31).

If no coincidence occurs between the current time and the time value setup on each of the box 95 a, 95 b, . . . (NO in step S31), then the CPU91 repeats the polling. If the determination is that there is a box 95 a(95 b, . . . ) whose time value coincide with the current time (YES instep S31), the CPU 91 prints print data stored in the small boxes 95 a 1and 95 a 2 in the box 95 a (95 b, . . . ) whose time value coincideswith the current time for each small box (step S32). Thereby, the printdata is arranged by time and printed by characteristic value.

According to the third embodiment, as described above, in the digitalmultiuse machine print data for scheduled printing are stored in smallboxes by characteristic value in each of boxes created by time valueand, in each PC, the time values associated with the boxes created inthe digital multiuse machine are displayed and a desired print starttime is selected from the displayed time values. Thereby, even if thesame time has been set up on scheduled printing specified by differentusers, the printing can be arranged by time value in an efficient mannerand the results of printing for the different users are output withoutbeing mixed with each other. The print start times can be specified withease, increasing the users' convenience.

Thus, when two or more users appoint the same time for printing, thedigital multiuse machine can arrange print data by print start time andby user, allowing printing to be made at the time specified by each userand for each user.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein.

Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a memory which includes atleast one first storage area provided for a print start time; aninterface which receives a print data in which a print start time isspecified, from an external device; a search section which searches forthe first storage area in which a set time is the same as the printstart time in the print data from the external device which is receivedby the interface; and which searches, if the search section searches forthe first storage area in which the set time is the same as the printstart time in the print data, for a second storage area in which a setinherent value is the same as the inherent value in the print data; acreation section which creates a first storage area in which the printstart time is to be set if the search section has not found the firststorage area where the set time is the same as the print start time inthe print data, and creates a second storage area in which the inherentvalue in the print data is to be set if the first storage area has beencreated or if the search section has not found an inherent value whichis the same as the inherent value in the print data; a storing sectionwhich stores print data in the second storage area searched for by thesearch section and the second storage area created by the creationsection, where there is at least one of the second storage area in thefirst storage area; a timer which counts the current time; and an imageforming section which performs an image forming process to each item ofprint data stored in each second storage area in the first storage areaif the print start time from the first storage area coincides with thecurrent time counted by the timer.
 2. An image forming methodcomprising: providing at least one first storage area for a print starttime in a memory of an image forming apparatus; receiving, at aninterface of the image forming apparatus, a print data in which a printstart time is specified, from an external device; a first search step ofsearching for the first storage area in which a set time is the same asthe print start time in the print data from the external device which isreceived by the interface; a second search step of searching, if thefirst search step searches for the first storage area in which the settime is the same as the print start time in the print data, for a secondstorage area in which a set inherent value is the same as the inherentvalue in the print data; a first creation step of creating a firststorage area in which the print start time is to be set, if the firstsearch step has not found the first storage area where the set time isthe same as the print start time in the print data; a second creationstep of creating a second storage area in which the inherent value inthe print data is to be set if the first storage area has been createdor if the second search step has not found an inherent value which isthe same as the inherent value in the print data; a storing step storesprint data in the second storage area searched for by the second searchstep and the second storage area created by the second creation step,where there is at least one of the second storage area in the firststorage area; counting the current time; and a performing an imageforming process step performs an image forming process to each item ofprint data stored in each second storage area in the first storage areaif the print start time.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the inherent valueis any one of a print request person, a group containing a person orinformation specifying the external device.
 4. The method of claim 2,the inherent value is any one of a print request person, a groupcontaining a person or information specifying the external device.
 5. Animage forming apparatus comprising: a memory which includes at least onefirst storage area provided for a print start time; an interface meansfor receiving a print data in which a print start time is specified,from an external device; a search means for searching for the firststorage area in which a set time is the same as the print staff time inthe print data from the external device which is received by theinterface means and for searching, if the search means searches for thefirst storage area in which the set time is the same as the print stafftime in the print data, for a second storage area in which a setinherent value is the same as the inherent value in the print data; acreation means for creating a first storage area in which the printstart time is to be set if the search means has not found the firststorage area where the set time is the same as the print start time inthe print data and for creating a second storage area in which theinherent value in the print data is to be set if the first storage areahas been created or if the search means has not found an inherent valuewhich is the same as the inherent value in the print data; a storingmeans which stores print data in the second storage area searched for bythe search means and the second storage area created by the creationmeans, where there is at least one of the second storage area in thefirst storage area; a counting means for counting the current time; andan image forming means which performs an image forming process to eachitem of print data stored in each second storage area in the firststorage area if the print staff time from the first storage areacoincides with the current time counted by the counting means.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, the inherent value is any one of a print requestperson, a group containing a person or information specifying theexternal device.